Va. governor to lead European trade mission

RICHMOND — Gov. Bob McDonnell is set to lead a nine-day job creation and economic development marketing mission to Europe.

The governor’s office said Friday that McDonnell and a team of Virginia economic development officials will leave Monday and visit Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and Sweden.

Those traveling on the trade mission include Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore. First lady Maureen McDonnell also will join the mission and focusing her efforts on promoting tourism and the Virginia wine industry.

Mr. McDonnell has led five similar trade missions since taking office in January 2010. He has previously led trips to Israel, India, Japan, China, South Korea, Germany, England and the Netherlands. Those trips have yielded several export agreements and business deals.